5 Signs It Might Be Time To Make A Career Change

Having a career can be both rewarding and consuming. Dedicating the time and energy to a career you are passionate about can either push you to new heights or overwhelm you and your mental health.

Her Agenda spoke with experts in the mental health field to discuss how to figure out when it may be time to switch your career path for the greater good.

“Persistent tiredness and pressure, even after having time off, are the common signs of chronic burnout,” said Dr. Courtney Scott, medical director of Momentous Recovery Group. “This usually comes from unmanageable job requirements like too much work to do within a given period or lack of support from colleagues or management. In the long run, this constant strain can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion that makes it impossible to perform simple tasks.”

The feeling of immense stress and burnout is a telltale sign that the exit door is well within reach, Courtney said. If you feel extremely tired on off days and have no time for hobbies or reset days, it can be hard to manage. Your career should allow room for a healthy and realistic work/life balance.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in a study published in 2024, over half (52%) of employees reported feeling burned out in the past year because of their job, and 37% reported feeling so overwhelmed it made it hard to do their job.

Everyone handles stress differently, yet some signs tend to remain familiar. If you find yourself in distress or even detaching before you reach work, then you should reevaluate your career. Ask yourself what are you benefitting from in this career if you’re depressed at the mere thought of showing up.

“In my experience, individuals who need a career shift show increased signs of distress and avoidance,” said Angela Williams, LCSW, psychotherapist and leadership mindset coach. “Some clients develop a diagnosis of depression or anxiety from prolonged exposure, a stressful work environment which can look like isolating, mood swings, fear or intrusive thoughts, sleep issues or a sense of hopelessness.”

Your personal relationships are just as important as your professional ones. Dedicating all of your time to your career and that continuous routine can affect your happiness, your will to fully relax, and your well-being.

“Relationships with loved ones can be strained when work becomes all-consuming leaving little time for anything else meaningful because attention is directed solely at work alone,” Courtney said.

“When people get carried away by their jobs and become completely engrossed in them, they abandon their hobbies which help them to relax outside working hours reducing opportunities for happiness further,” he said. “The imbalance may result in feeling rejected by others; thus, causing serious psychological distress for example anxiety disorder.”

“It’s time for a new job if your current workplace is toxic,” said Dr. Jay Serle, LMFT, PhD., clinical supervisor at The Ohana Luxury Rehab. “Signs of a toxic workplace include unrealistic expectations, overly harsh feedback, and harassment or bullying.”

It can be challenging to work when things at your place of business aren’t professional. Distractions, gossiping co-workers, unorganized environments, and no real structure or leadership are all signs of toxicity. These elements can affect your performance and career as a whole.

According to Elena Sarango-Muniz, CEO of Sarango Executive Coaching, “Self-doubt arises when employees feel unqualified for their role, fearing they’ll be ‘discovered’ as inadequate.”

This commonly happens when your leader or manager does not give frequent updates on your performance, or only points out the things you are doing wrong. It can lead one to second guess everything they do, and ultimately walk on eggshells at work, which can also open a space for anxiety to enter.